Watch a Caterpillar Morph Into a Butterfly in 3-D

Share

Watch a Caterpillar Morph Into a Butterfly in 3-D

For the first time, scientists have captured 3D images of caterpillars caught in the process of morphing into butterflies.
The traditional method of studying metamorphosis -- namely, dissection -- is destructive and doesn’t allow researchers to watch the entire process unfold.
To watch unobtrusively, researchers at the University of Manchester X-Ray Imaging Facility used high-resolution computed tomography (CT) to capture images of chrysalises over the course of 16 days. They saw major organs develop, and were surprised to find that the trachea and other airways often formed within the first 12 hours of pupation. This is faster than previously thought, and suggests that a caterpillar's respiratory system may not differ much from a butterfly's, the team reports today in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.
The researchers have also used similar high-resolution CT scans to capture detailed shots of fossilized bugs, including a crazy-looking spider and wasp (see images at far right, above).

Above:

16 Days of Metamorphosis captured on video.
Video: Tristan Lowe, Louise Lever, and the University of Manchester Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility.

X-Ray Video

16 Days of Metamorphosis
Video: Tristan Lowe, Louise Lever, and the University of Manchester Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility.

Chrysalis: Day 1

A live caterpillar chrysalis after one day of growth. Tracheal system (blue), digestive tract (red).
Image: Tristan Lowe and the University of Manchester Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility.

Chrysalis: Day 13

A live caterpillar chrysalis after 13 days of growth. Tracheal system (blue), digestive tract (red and yellow).
Image: Tristan Lowe and the University of Manchester Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility.

13 Days of Metamorphosis

A single chrysalis developing over the course of 13 days. Tracheal system (blue); digestive tract (red and orange); and air space (green).
Image: Tristan Lowe and the University of Manchester Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility.

16-day-old pupate

This soon-to-be-butterfly's digestive tract (red) is nearly fully developed after 16 days in a chrysalis. Its eyes and limbs have also formed.
Image: Tristan Lowe and the and the University of Manchester Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility.

Huntsman spider, fossilized in amber

University of Manchester researchers have also used high-resolution CT scans to capture detailed images of fossilized bugs, like this Huntsman spider.
Image: Andrew McNeil, David Penney, Philip Withers, Robert Bradley, and the University of Manchester Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility.

Fossilized wasp

High-resolution CT scans were also used to capture images of this crazy fossilized wasp.
Image: Andrew McNeil, David Penney, Philip Withers, Mark Sutton, and the University of Manchester Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility.